Chapter 208: Silence, Louder Than Thunder
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“Hui’er, bringing you into the palace has already been an injustice to you.”
“And now, seeing you care so much for the other consorts, how can I bear it?” The Emperor clasped Consort Hui’s hand, his heart deeply moved.
His harem was vast, filled with noble daughters and selected beauties. As an Emperor, whether he liked it or not, he had to be impartial. Balancing the harem meant balancing the court.
But his one true love was rare and precious.
Consort Hui spoke solemnly, “I have never sought to compete with my sisters for favor.”
“Nor have I ever desired to monopolize Your Majesty. You belong to the palace, to everyone.”
In his entire life, the only choice he had truly made was Consort Hui.
She was the only one he had personally asked for.
Even after years in the palace, despite the faint traces of time on her face and the countless young, beautiful concubines, none could shake her position.
Consort Hui was naturally reserved, never like the other concubines who lowered themselves to beg for his attention. Her indifference over the years only made him cherish her more.
Now, seeing her humbling herself for his sake, currying favor with the concubines, the Emperor was overwhelmed with emotion.
[What a fool… such a great fool…]
[The Emperor must be on the verge of tears.]
[Of course she doesn’t want to monopolize you; she just wants to monopolize the sisters in the harem…]
Before they even entered the chamber, the Empress was already waiting outside to receive them.
At the sight of Consort Hui, the Empress’s elegant expression immediately drooped, and her smile faded.
[Oh dear, she actually made the poised and gracious Empress lose her composure. What did she do?]
Lu Chao Chao was intensely curious.
“Consort Hui waited outside the palace gate for half an hour. Why did you not let her in?” The Emperor frowned, displeased. He and the Empress had always been respectful of one another. He had never seen her act pettily before.
“Her Majesty was resting, and this servant failed to report it. Please punish me, Your Majesty,” the head palace maid knelt in terror.
Seeing the Emperor reprimand the Empress, Consort Hui’s face darkened instantly.
“I was willing to wait, I was willing to wait.”
“This has nothing to do with Her Majesty.”
She stepped closer to the Empress, but the Empress quickly stepped back, as if repulsed by even the thought of being touched by her.
The Emperor’s displeasure grew.
“Wan’er, you have always been sensible, never one to be jealous. Why can’t you tolerate Consort Hui now?” He entered the room, while Consort Hui diligently poured tea for the Empress.
Her eyes sparkled as she looked at the Empress, as though she had suddenly come to life.
The Emperor’s cup remained empty. He cleared his throat.
Only then did Consort Hui seem to notice him, reluctantly pulling her gaze away from the Empress and hastily pouring him a cup.
However…
Her movements were noticeably perfunctory.
She even spilled tea onto the Emperor’s sleeve without noticing.
“Your Majesty, these are pastries I made myself. Please try them. I added some hawthorn for a refreshing taste.” Consort Hui’s eyes gleamed, her enthusiasm clearly greater than when she spoke to the Emperor.
“I will not eat them. Take them away, Consort Hui.” The Empress turned away, not sparing them even a glance.
The Emperor slammed his teacup down heavily, though he refrained from harsher words in front of the Crown Prince.
“This is Consort Hui’s heartfelt effort.” Seeing her trying so hard to please the Empress, while the Empress remained ungrateful, the Emperor felt stifled.
The Empress sneered, looking at the Emperor as though he were the greatest fool alive.
“I have no need for such kindness. Consort Hui, do not bother me!”
“Look at you! Is this how an Empress should act? So petty and narrow-minded—is this the Rong Family’s so-called noble upbringing?” The Emperor’s anger finally flared. His cup struck the table with a resounding thud, making the palace servants tremble and kneel.
Seeing the Empress’s reddened eyes, Consort Hui grew anxious and pained.
“If the Empress does not wish to eat, why force her? You don’t understand women at all! Women are not your possessions; you should respect them!” Even now, she made sure to twist the knife in the Emperor’s heart.
The Emperor: ??
Lu Chao Chao had a strange feeling—there was something in Consort Hui’s words, an underlying meaning she couldn’t quite grasp.
Consort Hui carefully observed the Empress before speaking with sincerity, “I am not like His Majesty. I understand Your Highness. I would never force Your Highness into anything. I respect every choice you make.”
Lu Chao Chao suddenly shuddered, goosebumps rising all over her body.
Even the Emperor seemed somewhat… unsettled.
“Enough. Since Hui’er has pleaded for you, let us dine,” the Emperor said, rubbing his temple. He could never understand why the Empress harbored such deep hostility toward Consort Hui.
He cherished Consort Hui, but he had always given the Empress her due respect and status. Why, then, did she refuse to tolerate her?
The Empress’ face was downcast, her lips pressed tightly together, unwilling to say a word.
Her gaze met the Emperor’s—filled with sorrow and helplessness.
“On the eighth of next month, it is Your Highness’ birthday. I have prepared a surprise for you,” Consort Hui said with a sweet smile.
“You will surely love it.”
The Emperor felt a pang of jealousy. Consort Hui treated the Empress better than she treated him. But when he thought of all the times she had humbled herself for his sake, he couldn’t bring himself to be angry.
“Look at how much Consort Hui cares for you. Every year, she prepares your birthday gifts in advance.”
“When you caught a cold, she stayed awake through the night, unwilling to rest even in my bedchamber.”
“At the mere sound of your sneeze, she would rush to brew medicine for you, burning her hands in the process, yet still delivering it through the rain without tending to her wounds.”
“On your birthday, she devotes herself more than she does for her own matters. Last year, she copied Buddhist scriptures for you until her arms ached for half a month.”
The Crown Prince clenched his right hand into a fist and let out a sharp cough, abruptly cutting off his father’s words.
[This is a disaster! Her Majesty is wavering!]
[He’s actually about to convince her!!]
[What is he doing? Is he mad?! Her Majesty just looked at Consort Hui!! Waaaah…]
The Emperor turned his gaze toward the Crown Prince and saw his son coughing violently, his face flushed red. Concerned, he said, “Have the imperial physician examine you in the afternoon. Be careful not to catch a chill.”
The Crown Prince pressed his fist to his lips, lowering his head in acknowledgment.
“Make sure the imperial kitchen sends glutinous rice-stuffed duck, deer tendon wine stew, and a dish of Arhat vegetarian fare. Her Majesty loves them.”
After a moment’s thought, she added, “These days, black-boned chicken soup will be good for Her Majesty’s health. The cold weather helps dispel dampness, and that will ease her stomach pains.”
She even knew the Empress’ menstrual cycle.
She even knew that the Empress suffered from stomach pains!
The Emperor’s eyelid twitched. He himself had no idea what the Empress liked to eat!
“Do you even remember what my favorite dish is?” the Emperor asked without thinking.
The usually composed and aloof Consort Hui froze, gripping her handkerchief tightly.
Just as she was about to change the subject, Lu Chao Chao’s voice rang out.
“The palace’s Three-Delicacy Shark Fin is tasty.” Mentioning food immediately perked her up.
“That is Consort Xian’s favorite,” Consort Hui replied, raising an eyebrow slightly.
“Crab Meat Soup is also good,” Lu Chao Chao continued.
“That is Noble Lady Qin’s favorite…” Consort Hui didn’t even need to pause before answering.
The Emperor’s expression gradually shifted to one of shock. Consort Hui knew the preferences of every concubine in the harem with such precision!
“Hui’er, you truly are thoughtful. To think you have put so much effort into understanding me,” the Emperor said, deeply moved. The always-cold Consort Hui, who cared for nothing mundane, had invested so much effort… for him.
Consort Hui opened her mouth but, in the end, remained silent.
Everyone else also fell silent.
A silence so deep, it was deafening.
Omayghad the consort wants to control the harem cause she wants the harem for her own HAHA!